Get Dirty On The Run thanks to www.theoriginalmudrun.com

Why is it that people wanted to get dirty on the run, I mean do mud runs?

The popularity of mud runs is obviously on the rise.  More people are doing it and there’s no slowing down in sight.

Search on line and you’ll find plenty of mud runs all over the country. From coast to coast there is no shortage of these fun and crazy  events where anyone can get dirty on the run.

Why Get Dirty On The Run?

Why is it that humans are attracted to dirt or let’s call it the earth, dust or mud… whatever you want to call it?

I remember when I was growing up when going to farm is a REAL trip. Wide open spaces, with plenty of dust, earth, farm animals and water ways or water coolers are welcome sights. Totally different from the concrete jungle and city lights.

Obstacles to get to these places are plenty but it is not a problem at all. Actually it is fun and for sure you really have more changes to get dirty on the run if you wanted to.

If there is water specially rain, it’s even better.  Amazingly time passes by so quickly, before you know it, it’s back to the city.

Mud run is like therapy, at least in my dirty opinion. You get grounded to earth and become one with the elements – even for a short 5k run. There is this feeling of freedom. And, when you join others go through obstacles to get to the finish line all mud-dirty, it’s becomes a totally different experience.

Get Dirty On The Run Basics?

Do you train to get dirty on the run? That’s a good question!

In my opinion, not really. Most of these mud-runs are really fun-runs but it doesn’t hurt to get some kind of exercise  routine to get physically ready for the challenges ahead. There maybe a lot or just a few obstacles along the route where basic physical conditioning is needed. You’ll never know until you get to one…

Of course just like anything else, you may want to consult your physician before doing any kind of physical exercise.

Plus, you may need a good detergent to clean-up all the muddied gears (from top to bottom) after the event. After all,  nothing will be clean whenever you get dirty on the run.

Can Runners Cook Happiness

of Chardonnay caught my eye at local grocery store the other day. The label read…

“Project Happiness Chardonnay…Finally somebody put it in a bottle. Happiness. Sure took a while though. Seeking happiness? What makes happiness? and so on…”

Let’s see if I can get happiness out from a smiley bottle.

Price check: Okay, the price is right – we’re good to go.

I just ran a hard course for almost 2 hours on a tough hilly route. I needed some recovery food fast…and one of my favorite is pasta with clams with marinara sauce in white wine.  That sure can answer  YES to the question , “Can runners cook happiness?”

So it’s time to rock the kitchen and get some happiness into this runners hunger pocket. For sure my spouse will be watching. She knows what her kitchen will look like in a few minutes. There’s no worries though, angel hair pasta with marinara sauce is one of her favorites.

What makes you happy?

Me, I’m happy if I can pull even a short run on a busy schedule. I’m happy at the table with good food shared with the family.

Thanks to a bottle of wine with a smiley and a simple message “Project Happiness”

I don’t know if you can cook but, when someone asks a question, “Can runners cook happiness?” You can say… we can (with the help of smiley)!

That was the sign on the wall my attention was led to going out of a health facility a few weekends ago.  It didn’t made sense to me until dinner that evening…while I was holding my fork and knife.

Then, I got it. It was funny at first and then as the conversation got real serious to where healthy living became the subject. By the time we got to our desert the fork is barely moving.

On the news, you will find stories about how obese we have become as a country. Food is abundant here and experts agree that most of us eat a lot.

I have to agree that I do eat a lot myself. I love food, specially Thai food and anything with spice on it.

However, I’m a marathon runner. I can easily get my calorie intake under control with my regular runs.

But what about the others. I can only try and convince them (if given a chance) to give healthy living a try.

In these day and age there are plenty of opportunities to improve everyone’s health by design.

The advances in science has given us plenty of choices, products and services to achieve healthy goals. The growth of health gyms and the increasing number of health experts and personal coaches (believe it or not) has lead to a quite revolution in health and wellness  industry.

It’s not easy to just tell  someone, “Don’t dig your grave with your fork and knife”…

You see when I got got started in running, I was challenged to do a 3 miler before work. I gave it a try. I did and now I have 6 Los Angeles marathons under me.

Yes, I was digging my grave slowly then. I was overweight. My eating habits were out of whack.  Thanks to a few friends who got me going for the miles.

Today I still love my food but at the same time I continue to do 3-3milers during the week and at least an hour long runs on weekends.

Challenge your friend or a loved ones to get into some kind of exercise routine. Get them to be health positive.You never know…

You can tell them, “Don’t dig your grave with your fork and knife” or you may do it any other way. Come on you can do it!

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Now, what do you think about that?

Running Can Lower Sex Drive – Their Opinion

In part, I agree with the authors comment that;

“…sex did go down as the miles increased, but it was due less to a lack of desire than to fatigue. One happily married couple I know got around the problem by just putting the wife on top. But others said that when mileage reached 110 or 115 miles a week they were just too tired to do anything else. As my friend Jeff put it, “I’m a garden hose for six or seven hours after a 20-miler.” Others were so used to high mileage that their desire adjusted. My coach, Kevin McCarey, ran for Athletics West from 1978-82. While he typically ran 125 miles a week during his time in Eugene, it never affected his performance or desire. “When you’re 25 years old nothing can stop you,” he recalls. “Everyone was so physical. Sex was part of being a runner.”

Running Can Lower Sex Drive – My Opinion

From my unscientific study, I have found that when training for marathon specially when the mileage really get to pile up big, the body will make adjustment and the desire is still there if not stronger. Actually, it relaxes me more and recovery is much faster after the sweetest thing. I don’t believe that running can lower sex drive at all. It actually raises it up a notch in my opinion.

Make sure it’s still done in moderation. To me that makes a big difference.

Running Can Lower Sex Drive – What’s Your Take On This?

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Run In With The Law Going for Gold

I had a run in with the law on St. Patrick’s Day. This  is a good thing at least for a runner like me, specially for missing this years Los Angeles marathon.

No, I’m not in trouble. What I did was attend a kick-off party for a county official running for  Seat#3 in the County Superior Court in Los Angeles on this years Statewide elections in June.

Run In With The Law – Kicks Off

I like what this gentleman stand and is fighting for. I used to own a dry cleaning business and can relate to what he is all about. I could have benefited from his expertise then. Anyway, I was all sold out and that was my run in with the law.

I don’t get sold out that easily, but because he was recommended by a trusted associate from the commercial retail estate industry, the best I can do is show and check the event out. After hearing from him speak and meeting his lovely wife, I know where my vote is going.

Moving forward, I volunteered to help him by using my social media integration services. I will be following his campaign as much as my schedule will allow me to.

If that means tweaking my running regimen a little bit to do that, then it will be for a worthwhile cause. So, besides running the streets of Los Angeles, I will be doing run in with the law, even just for a couple of months.

Stepped Up Run In With The Law

I know runners are motivated lacing up and putting the miles with some kind of motivation, currently this is one of mine. I will be running with business owners in mind when they are faced with challenges fighting the big guys in the court of law.  Hopefully Craig Gold will make it to the superior court bench soon.

The election is a couple of months away so every step that I make will be some kind of run in with the law.

This would be an interesting run…

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Vegetables Can Make You Sexy

“Once the word gets out that eating fruits and vegetables can make you sexy, attractive and maybe even look younger, hopefully, the carrots, kale and cantaloupe will be flying off the shelves and into people’s meals” that statement capped an article about the importance of eating vegetables.

Vegetables Can Make You Sexy – The Study

Now here’s the beginning argument,” The key to a rosy, healthy-looking complexion may be as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables, researchers say.

“We found that within a six-week period, fluctuation in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with skin-color changes,” said lead researcher Ross Whitehead, from the School of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Not only did skin look healthier at the end of the study period, it was judged more attractive as well, he said. “Eat more fruits and veggies to improve your appearance,”…Read full article

Now for runners like us, I’m hoping that we have vegetables as part of our regular diet already. If not, consider adding 5-8 cups a day. That’s not easy to do but the experts have told us so.

Vegetables Can Make You Sexy – Your Call

I’m not suggesting you do this because vegetables can make you sexy, but rather it’s the right thing to do.

Now, what if you don’t have time or you don’t like vegetables? Well, there are other options available in the market. You can get vegetable supplements (affiliate link), add veggies to your smoothies, mix them in your drinks or munch these greens all day.

I know it takes a dedicated effort to make it happen but if you consider your health as your wealth then it’s all worth it.

Really, it’s your call.

Runners, Get Set, GO – get vegetables that can make you sexy!

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• THE KEY TO A SIMPLE HEALTHY COMLEXION MAY BE AS SIMPLE AS EATING FRUITS

I always have great respect to the men and women in uniform in this country. They do what their superiors ask them to do no matter what. The do perform their call of duty…in good times and in not so good times.

So I finished my 6 mile run in beautiful sunny southern California weather. The park is full of walkers and runners alike. I can tell some are finishing up their training for the Los Angeles marathon which is only a few weeks away.

The weather has a cool breeze to compliment the early morning sun.

A Runners Handshake In Uniform

As I get to my car, pulling in was a gentlemen in a truck. You can tell from the logo in the back that this guy is from the marines. He got out wearing his marine – the few, the proud….t-shirt. I have got to do the “Handshake in Uniform”

I have to THANK this guy for what he represent as a nation. This guy is out there with others making sure the freedom that we enjoy in this country continues. Freedom is not free – if you know what I mean.

Before I finished my recovery drink, I just had a little chat with this marine.

Anyway, we exchanged pleasantries before he does his exercise run. Got to know him a little bit. He’s been in the military for 16 years now. Got a 17yr old son – he started when he was 16 years of age. Right now he’s on vacation and is waiting deployment in a few months back to either Iraq or Afghanistan. No plans of early retirement….

Handshake In Uniform – Just Do It

Why am I sharing you these…I wanted to ask that we as citizens give them respect and honor them for what they do to protect this country. We can at least express and say “THANK YOU” to them.

Yes, we can do a little handshake in uniform. A Thank you or even a salute…whenever we have a chance.

I did and…I can enjoy another Southern California run on a beautiful Saturday morning in this beautiful land of the free.

Do the “Handshake in Uniform” today.

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Elevator Health Warning

I was in an educational tour this past week and saw an elevator health warning of some sort. I did not see it on the way up but rather on the way down from using the stairs.

I took a picture of course and this will serve as a reminder whenever I see an elevator next time.

It will serve as motivation in my quest for optimal health. I don’t know yours but I hope this will get thinking on what or how you get to take care of yourself.

Elevator Health Warning or Motivation?

It reads, “take the STAIRS”. And there’s this sub-headline which is a very good health motivation…

“Achieve Your Goal By Moving Ahead One Step At A Time”, very clever indeed.

Experts agree that regular exercise does amazing results to a human body. It’s been mentioned that 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 times a week is good for the heart. It does not really matter which exercise routine you do. Whats important is that you have your body in motion and doing something positive and on a regular basis.

I love running and that’s what I do. A three mile run 3 times on weekdays plus going an extra mile or two (or get close to an hour run if I can) on weekends work for me.

When training for marathons, that is not an issue. I just go with my calendar and do what is on the schedule.

No Elevator Health Warning But My Wife Has Something On The Go

When not on any training, I see myself getting lax some days and needed some kind of reminders once in a while. This picture on the elevator is a perfect elevator warning or motivation for me.

So I get reminders from my wife. She likes to park farthest from the entrance of any mall or any place we go to. She gets to stretch a little and get the heart pumping even for a short time. Can’t complain – I needed it and she does too.

Achieving optimal health is tough but it is something that all of us have to. Our busy lifestyle and the food that we eat has a lot to do on most peoples declining health condition.

You may not see an elevator warning like I did, but consider using the stairs next time. Remember, do a little workout…it’s good for you.

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John Glenn in Mercury suit with helmet. Courtesy of Wikipedia

From space, there’s great runners lesson from astronaut.

I used to work in the space shuttle program. I remember getting excited to see astronauts visit us on the assembly floor and have little chats. These men and women are for real and just thinking they do fly these huge engines and do space exploration is so amazing to me.

How do they qualify to be astronauts? They have to be very special human beings.

Runners Lesson From Astronaut John Glenn

One popular astronaut is John Glenn. Remember he was also a former senator.

He became the fifth person in space, the third American in space and the first American to orbit the Earth. Aboard Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962, on the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, circling the globe three times.

Perth, Western Australia became known worldwide as the “City of Light” when city residents lit their house lights and streetlights as Glenn passed overhead.

The city repeated the act when Glenn rode the Space Shuttle in 1998. During the mission there was concern over a ground indication that his heat shield had come loose, which could allow it to fail during re-entry through the atmosphere, which would result in his capsule burning up.

Runners Lesson From Astronaut – Deal With Adversity

Flight controllers had Glenn modify his re-entry procedure by keeping his retrorocket pack on over the shield in an attempt to keep it in place. He was able to steer his spacecraft safely back to earth, and afterwards it was determined that the indicator was faulty.

He fought adversity in a death and life situation in space. Must have been a very nerve-racking…

With all the greatest tools and technology available, all of these won’t work unless you have a human being and a great man of character to steer it.

Runners Lesson From Astronaut  – Determination

That brings us to a runners heart. The determination to finish your goal despite adversity means success or failure.

Yes anybody can gear up with the best shoes, supplements and the coaching that are available. In the end, it is you who will put forth the effort. You will be the one conquering the miles and dealing with the situations and challenges along the route to the finish line.

You don’t necessarily have to deal with life and death situation (just like John Glenn) to finish the race but it will take a special kind of determination to make it happen.

Remember you are a runner and you are special.

What runners lesson from astronaut have you to share?

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Let’s see…rattlesnake is a unique specie only found in North America. No where in the world can you find these interesting creature.

They are part of (early) American culture and history? I heard they do have 13 rattles representing the early 13 colonies of what we now know as the United States of America.

Besides history, rattlesnake are known to be not aggressive snakes. They do mind their own business. Don’t mess up with them and they will leave you alone. They won’t chase you as long as you don’t bother them unlike other snakes.

If you do, they give you a warning first. Isn’t that something? They will rattle first and if you continue they become a different beast. They will protect and defend themselves and it is a do or die situation from that point forward.

That brings us to a runners lesson from rattlesnake. You see, it’s like they fully commit to doing what it takes to get the job (to defend) done. They know what to do (plan) and execute (finish) and give it all. No messing and guessing around.

Commitment is something that runners can learn from rattlesnake.

If you decide on a running goal of some sort, do your best to get it accomplished. It is natural that challenges begins to come up just as soon as you decide to do one.

You see it’s one of those natures law. Anything good is bound to be attacked and put down. Getting past and on top of  the challenges determines the degree of anyone’s success.

A fully committed person will find ways to win…

Just like the rattlesnake, they operate mostly on the defensive, but when challenged and switches to offense these creatures will deal it at any cost.

Commit. Do. Finish!

What do you think…have you a runners lesson from rattlesnake or any creature out there to share?